"We in Wide Bay are well placed to seize these opportunities, particularly in the Mary Valley.

"We have some of the most prized farming land in Australia, with clean air and water and the ability to produce high-quality foods, we can add value by producing more prepared foods, utilising unique Australian flavours and promotional branding of the region."

Mr Truss said the food industry was the nation's largest manufacturing sector and employed more than 200,000 Australians, half of them in regional areas.

"Australian farmers export around 60 per cent of what they grow and produce.

"The overwhelming majority of food sold in Australia is grown by Australian farmers (including) around 98 per cent of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, milk and eggs."

He called for investment support for research and modernisation of equipment.